Diuretics increase the rate that your body excretes water, most often in the form of increased urination. Some over-the-counter natural herb supplements will contain black licorice, or it can also be found as a single ingredient natural supplement. According to the National Institutes of Health, a part of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, and the Encyclopedia of Spices, black licorice can act as a mild diuretic as it may be effective in decreasing swelling and mucus secretions by reducing water retention, but results are not guaranteed.
Black Licorice
Black licorice is a plant that is most commonly associated with flavoring for food products. It is also found under the names: glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice, spanish licorice and sweet root. However, many food products that are marketed as "licorice flavored" are actually flavored with anise and do not contain any licorice. It can be used topically or ingested. Indeed, black licorice is often a common ingredient in natural shampoos as it reduces oiliness.
Diuretics
According to the Drug Monitor, diuretics are used to discharge solutes from the body, namely salt and water. There are many varieties of diuretics, including loop diuretics, osmotic diuretics and potassium sparing diuretics. Black licorice is not a potassium sparing diuretic, and prolonged use or high dosages can create potassium deficiency, according to Medline Plus, a project of the National Institutes of Health.
Taking water pills along with black licorice is also not advised by the National Institutes of Health, as water pills can also severely reduce the amount potassium in the body.
Potential Uses
The Encyclopedia of Spices lists black licorice as being most commonly used with other spices or herbs rather than on its own. In combination with other herbal preparations, black licorice can be used to treat stomach ailments and as an additive in laxatives and to create mild diuretics.
The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database also lists black licorice as being possibly effective for heartburn when it is used in combination with other herbal remedies, such as chamomile or caraway. Used in tandem with Panax ginseng and Bupleurum falcatum, black licorice is also purported to improve adrenal gland function, an important hormonal regulator for stress management. However, according to the National Institutes of Health, the efficacy of black licorice is unsupported despite its popular usage.
Precautions
Black licorice is a potassium reducing compound, and should be taken as a supplement in larger quantities than that traditionally found in foods. It is rated as possibly safe for short-term medicinal use, but is considered possibly unsafe in large amounts for periods of more than four weeks. Possible side effects of consuming more than 30 g of black licorice daily for more than four weeks include high blood pressure, low potassium levels, and in more extreme cases, weakness, paralysis and possibly brain damage. Other possible side effects include tiredness, headaches, decreased sexual interest in men, and reduced menstruation in women according to the National Institutes of Health and the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.
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